Everyday Beans Podcast - Mostly About Coffee and Other Stuff

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I recently put the ZP6 grinder to the test with a dark roast Honduras coffee—a bean I know intimately with its orangey top notes that fade into mellow chocolate. Most people claim this "clarity king" grinder only works well with light and medium roasts, but I wasn't convinced. What I discovered changed how I think about grinders entirely. I went finer than the recommended sweet spot, pushing down to a 2 on the dial when most people stay between 4 and 5.5, and the separation remained clean without getting offensive. Then I tried the same coffee through my Fellow Ode grinder at a slightly coarser setting, and something magical happened—those orange notes lingered and danced with the chocolate in a way that made me want to keep drinking.
Through this experience, I realized that every grinder has its own profile, its own way of telling a coffee's story. The ZP6 brings crisp separation and expressiveness, while the Fellow Ode creates lingering, layered complexity. I used to blame my old Baratza for muddy coffees, but the truth is the coffee was probably fine—it was the grinder's profile I was tasting. In this episode, I share why owning two different grinders can unlock entirely new dimensions in your coffee, how to stop being judgmental about which grinder is "better," and why the real magic lies in understanding what each device brings to your cup. You'll learn that it's not about chasing one perfect grinder—it's about discovering which profile resonates with what you're looking for in that particular coffee.
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For good tasty coffee, check us out at: everydaybeans.com

For tips, tricks and still trying to figure it out: https://www.youtube.com/@everyday-beans

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In this episode, I dive deep into the one piece of coffee equipment that changed everything for me—a simple TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter. For less than $10, this unassuming device has unlocked flavors in my coffee that I didn't think were possible anymore. I talk about how understanding water hardness through this meter has made my lightly roasted Kenyan coffees finally show their sweetness, made my Brazilian coffees more expressive, and eliminated the inconsistency that used to plague my brewing. I share why we fixate on grinders, brewers, and technique while ignoring the fact that coffee is 98% water, and how this inexpensive tool gets you 95% of the way to perfect water without diving into complex chemistry.
By listening to this episode, you'll learn why a TDS meter is the most underrated piece of coffee gear you can own, how it empowers you to manipulate acidity and sweetness beyond just brewer choice, and why understanding your water is the key to unlocking the true potential of every coffee you brew. I'll explain how finding my sweet spot around 110 PPM transformed my daily brewing and why this $10 investment might be more valuable than your next grinder upgrade.
Support the show
For good tasty coffee, check us out at: everydaybeans.com

For tips, tricks and still trying to figure it out: https://www.youtube.com/@everyday-beans

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In this episode, I explore the uncomfortable reality of mastering coffee: sometimes, despite all your knowledge and skill, a coffee just doesn't work for you. I'm diving deep into my experience with a Nicaraguan organic, strictly high-grown, European-prepared coffee that on paper should be spectacular, but in practice leaves me completely uninspired. I detail my extensive experimentation with this coffee—different roast levels, multiple brewing methods, various filters, different grinders, and water chemistry adjustments—yet none of it changes the fundamental truth that this coffee simply doesn't resonate with me personally.
By listening to this episode, you'll learn the invaluable lesson that technical mastery and brewing expertise don't guarantee you'll love every coffee you encounter, and that's completely okay. I share the honest realization that some coffees will be "duds" for your personal palate, even when they're technically clean, well-prepared, and might work perfectly for others. This is a refreshing perspective on accepting your own taste preferences, understanding that not every coffee needs to be manipulated into something it's not, and recognizing when it's time to simply move on to the next coffee journey.
Support the show
For good tasty coffee, check us out at: everydaybeans.com

For tips, tricks and still trying to figure it out: https://www.youtube.com/@everyday-beans

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I spent the last month testing the ZP6 grinder, and I think it's time I share my honest thoughts about this budget clarity grinder that everyone's been talking about. In this episode, I dive deep into what I discovered after grinding coffee daily with this thing - from its surprisingly limited useful grind range to the way it completely separates flavor profiles in a way I wasn't expecting. I talk about how only settings 2 through 6 are actually worth using out of the 111 total clicks, why this grinder is particularly magical with dark roasts, and how it compares to grinders like the K6 and EK43. I also cover the practical stuff - the quirky top chamber that spins when you don't want it to, the catch cup that can't hold a full 30-gram dose, and why at $200, this grinder is still an absolute steal despite its limitations.
By listening to this episode, you'll learn whether the ZP6's clarity-focused burr set is actually worth the hype, how to identify the optimal grind settings for your brewing style, and why this grinder might make you question your coffee choices in the most existential way possible. I'll help you understand what "flavor separation" really means in your cup and whether this budget option can genuinely compete with higher-end grinders for pour-over brewing.
Support the show
For good tasty coffee, check us out at: everydaybeans.com

For tips, tricks and still trying to figure it out: https://www.youtube.com/@everyday-beans

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In this episode, I dive deep into the psychology and passion of light roasted coffee drinkers—a group I used to belong to but now observe from a different perspective. I explore why these coffee enthusiasts are so unapologetic about their preferences, how they chase that next hit of unique acidity and complexity, and why they'll spend almost any amount of money on specialized grinders, filters, water chemistry, and accessories to extract that perfect cup. I share my own recent experience with a medium-to-light roast that kept revealing new layers of personality the more I pushed the extraction, helping me understand what drives light roast lovers to constantly explore new coffees and processing methods.
By listening to this episode, you'll gain insight into the mindset of light roasted coffee drinkers and understand why they gravitate toward tea-like, acidic profiles over traditional chocolatey notes. I also examine a fascinating theory: that we all gravitate toward coffees that match our own personalities, seeking comfort and excitement in the beans we choose. Whether you're a light roast devotee, a dark roast loyalist, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you understand the tribal nature of coffee preferences and why being honest about what we actually enjoy matters more than following any particular coffee orthodoxy.
Support the show
For good tasty coffee, check us out at: everydaybeans.com

For tips, tricks and still trying to figure it out: https://www.youtube.com/@everyday-beans